Refreshing Non-Alcoholic Beverages That Aren't La Croix

Stock up on these for summer.

Yes, summer is about enjoying longer days, pleasant hikes, and salty bodies of water. It can also be about finding reprieve from the damning heat, whether it be posted in front of your A/C unit, sitting under a particularly bushy tree with blankets of shade, or sipping on something thirst-quenching and refreshing. This is where this list of refreshing non-alcoholic beverages comes in. Don’t get me wrong: I love a frosty margarita or pitcher of fruit sangria in the summer, but alcohol doesn’t really lend itself to hydration. If you’re feeling an afternoon slump and want to sip on something bright and bubbly, or are looking for bottled elixirs to bring to your next outdoor picnic, try out one of these canned or bottled beverages instead. We’ve got leisure sodas, pressed juices, sparkling tea, and kombucha in the mix, so there’s something sippable for everyone.

Casamara Club

Casamara Club is a non-alcoholic, botanical soda inspired by the “Italian leisure culture” and made from sparkling water and amaro bitters. You can expect a drink that is herbaceous but relatively light -- a twinkling afternoon pick-me-up you should definitely stock in your fridge if you’re a fan of fragrant and bubbly cocktails but aren’t trying to dive into spirits at noon. Casamara Club comes in four flavors: Alta, a citrusy soda; Onda, which is sage-forward; Capo, a honeyed and floral spritzer; and Sera, which is cinnamon-infused and dessert-like. Price:$36 for a case of 12.

Poppi Soda

The nice part about Poppi is that it’s a prebiotic, so even though I’m drinking it for its fun and fizzy flavors, like pineapple mango and strawberry lemon, I’m convinced this adult soda is working magic in my gut. The prebiotics come from the apple cider vinegar that’s included in Poppi’s formula, which is intended to aid in digestion. If you’re someone who typically strays from the tang and acid from apple cider vinegar, fret not: Poppi strategically masks the flavor with fruity flavors. As someone who is a kombucha fiend, I almost wish it was more vinegary.Price:$35.88 for a 12-pack.

Recess

Recess is a chiller version of La Croix. It has been there for me in the middle of stressful work week and a moment or two of calm in an otherwise hectic existence. Each can of this sparkling water contains adaptogens, pretty much the stuff in herbal medicine that's intended for soothing, and hemp. Recess is mellow, with fruit-forward flavors like blood orange and pomegranate hibiscus, and meant to leave the drinker feeling “calm, cool, and collected.”Price: $49.99 for a 12-pack.

Health-Ade Kombucha

After eating a greasy burger or fat-streaked ribs, there’s just something about washing it all down with kombucha that feels healing. And my summer plans definitely include eating more burgers, ribs, and hot dogs. It might be all in my head, but I keep reaching for Health-Ade anyway thanks to its robust flavor and refreshing qualities. Health-Ade’s kombucha is handcrafted and fermented in small, glass vessels for a kombucha that tastes clean, with distinctive flavors. Their Cayenne Cleanse and Jalapeno-Kiwi-Cucumber do not skimp on the heat, which is fantastic for a spice-obsessive like myself. Price: $43.20 for a 12-pack.

Teakoe

Teakoe started out simply producing teas, but the Colorado-based manufacturers also make canned fizzy versions now, brewed from sustainably sourced tea leaves and the mountains’ snow melt. It’s lightly sweetened with raw honey and has just the right amount of caffeine -- between 55 to 130mg, depending on the flavor -- to replace your afternoon cup of coffee. The line also happens to come in fun flavors, like cayenne ginger and peach lavender, made with either black tea, green tea, or white tea. If you’re a tea enthusiast, this is a refreshing new option.Price: $25 for a 12-pack.

Better Booch

Better Booch’s kombucha comes in cans, so it’s a little bit easier for transporting in your backpack, lining your picnic basket, or stacking in your fridge. But beyond its ergonomic vessel, the flavors are bright and nuanced, like their “Citrus Sunrise,” which consists of grapefruit, sage, and pu-erh tea and the “Cherry Retreat,” a blend of cherries, vanilla, and bergamot. They even have a horchata flavor (but it’s still kombucha, so don’t expect the creamy sweetness of your usual cinnamon-filled rice beverage). Better Booch was the first kombucha I had ever tried, which has led me to what will continue to be a life-long love affair.Price: $48 for a 12-pack.

Minna

If sparkling water and tea had a baby, it would be named Minna. This bubbly tea hybrid comes in citrusy flavors with zero sugar, and has a gentle caffeine boost we could all use when the afternoon rolls around. Don’t expect the syrup sweetness of a Snapple or dark tea flavor of Lemon Liptons. Minna is light but it’s refreshing, and perfect for when you can’t decide between sparkling water or tea. Just have both. Price: $36 for a 12-pack.

Suja

I love Suja’s cold pressed juices. They’re invigorating and nutrient-packed. Each bottle is free of preservatives but don’t taste like the grassy green juice you might be accustomed to. I don’t know if it’s the ratio of their fruit and veggie blends or just their expertise of picking out what to pair together, but all the green juices I’ve had from Suja have been delectable. I also am convinced I am much healthier than I actually am upon downing each bottle. Price: $7.99 a bottle.

United Sodas

One of my favorite summer memories when I was a kid was going to Hollywood for Pink’s Hot Dogs and sipping on a peach soda. Why is peach not a more prevalent soda flavor? It’s sweet and familiar and inexplicably juicy. United Sodas, a new brand of leisure sodas that clocks in at 30 calories per can and has chic minimalist packaging, has a peach flavor because they know the world needs it. The adult sodas also come in more interesting flavors, like strawberry basil and lemon verbena, and are caffeine-free so you can enjoy them at any time of day.Price: $34.99 for a 12-pack.

Goldthread Tonics

The glass bottles of Goldthread's Tonics remind me of potions. They’re squatter and rounder than your average bottle of pop and look like they could be a prop from Harry Potter, which hints at the magical elixirs inside. Goldthread, which started as an herb farm and apothecary, now crafts drinks that are made from a mixture of herbs and spices specifically blended by an ethnobotanist for benefits to both the mind and body. The flavor is smooth and layered, thanks to the addition of all the botanicals.Price: $30 for a 6-pack.

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